PTI leader Shireen Mazari's arrest declared 'unlawful' by IHC

Justice Kayani remarks leader was arrested 'without legal justification'; court nullified commission's arrest report

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has declared the arrest of former federal minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) senior leader Shireen Mazari 'unlawful'.

IHC's Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani announced the reserved decision, which stated that Mazari's arrest by the Punjab Anti-Corruption Department on May 21, 2022, was illegal.

"The arrest was carried out without legal justification," Justice Kayani remarked.

The court ordered the Establishment Division secretary and the Punjab Home Department to conduct an investigation into the matter.

Additionally, the court also nullified the commission's report regarding her arrest.

The court's decision mandates a thorough review of the procedures followed during Mazari's arrest.

Mazari's arrests

Mazari was first arrested on May 12 in 2022 under Section 3 of the Maintenance of Public Order (3MPO).

The party leader was re-arrested from outside her residence in Islamabad by the Punjab police after securing bail from the Lahore High Court (LHC).

Mazari’s lawyer had confirmed the re-arrest of his client. In a tweet, Barrister Ahsan J. Pirzada said that the former human rights minister has been arrested for the “fourth time” in ten days.

Earlier this year, on March 19, a Special Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) issued arrest warrants for several top Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders, including more than two dozen current and former assembly members, in 12 cases in connection with violent attacks on the sensitive state installations on May 9 last year.

Mazari was among the leaders to whom the warrants were issued.

All the leaders were charged with conspiracy in the cases registered at RA Bazaar, Race Course, New Town, Civil Lines, Sadiqabad and other police stations.